Should we be honest about Moscow, the capital of Russia, the major international hub and the largest city in the country, it is far from a resort or recreational tourist destination. Moscow is the city of incredible views and sites of interest, but the reverses of external beauty are water and air pollution whereas water is undrinkable and air is smoky.

Even the locals are reluctant to drink water, which should be boiled for several minutes and left for other several minutes for the sediment to settle. It is better to buy pure water or mineral water in shops, where it is available in abundance. Air also leaves much to be desired. Great emissions from cars make the city look dirty and smoky. Nevertheless, those are problems of many large cities, in either West or East, and they do not prevent many tourists from visiting Moscow.

On the contrary, Moscow attracts visitors, and today, perhaps, it attracts even more vigorously than ever. The giant city, with a Moskva River meandering through it for about 80 kilometers, with massive buildings and broad boulevards, looks quite imposing even at first glance.

Whether you are on business trip or come to visit your Russian lady, Moscow is perfect for both occasions. Here are the best restaurants, the best hotels, and the world-class sights. Perhaps, your darling is from Moscow, but most often locals have not seen themselves many Moscow’s attractions. As always, the place where we live for a long time looks so customarily that it becomes hard to find some zest in it.

Hence, it is an excellent idea to spend a part of your Moscow visit exploring the city together and discovering something new for both of you. Of course, another part should comprise private meetings, dinners, and so on as to make each of you out.

The legendary places to see are the Kremlin and Red Square.

The Kremlin is the political and historical heart of Moscow as well as the only architectural attraction of the kind in the world. Founded as far back as in the 12th century by Prince Yury Dolgoruky, today it is a magnificent complex of crenellated ramparts, pointed turrets and sparkling in the sun onion domes. Red Square is home to some of most prominent landmarks of Russia, which are Lenin Mausoleum and beautiful St. Basil's Cathedral.

Arbat is a venue for diverse entertainment and fun. The Moscow’s liveliest and brightest street Arbat is abound in street performers, painters, cafes, restaurants, bars, clubs, art markets and souvenir stalls.

The Bolshoi Theater is the best place to enjoy the world-renowned ballet. Since its establishment in the late 18th century, the Theater has given birth to numerous ballet stars of Russia, including Maya Plisetskaya and Rudolf Nuryev.

Strange but even Moscow metro is considered the city’s top attraction. First, the metro system is incredibly fast; second, it is a combo of marvelous architecture, rich use of marble, sculpture, mosaics, and chandeliers.

To make Moscow visit more memorable, go to Izmailovsky Souvenir Market, the city’s largest market, where you can buy something from Russian handicrafts, Soviet memorabilia, and original paintings as well as taste delicious local food.

Much of city’s unrepeatable architectural landscape is formed by abundance of churches, monasteries, convents and cathedrals that rush with their glittering domes and tower high into the sky. A cultural tour of these cradles of Russian spiritual and religious life is an opportunity to understand the miracles of Russian soul, ideals and values, principles and morals. Here are the best-known churches in Moscow.

St.Basil’s Cathedral is located right on Red Square and built in the 16th century by Ivan the Terrible in commemoration of his successful military campaign against the Tartar Mongols.

The Cathedral of Christ the Savior dates to the 19th century. The church was designed by the architect Konstantin Ton to commemorate Russia's victory over the French in the Napoleonic Wars. The Cathedral was demolished during Stalin's rule in the 1930s, but the Moscovites built it anew in the 1990s to mark Moscow's 850th birthday.

In addition, Moscow boasts a rich collection of museums for any taste or interest. Science in different forms is presented in Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics, Zoological Museum, Darwin Museum, and Polytechnic Museum; arts of all genres and styles are displayed in Bakhrushin Theater Museum, Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art, and Museum of Oriental Art.

There is also a multitude of archeological, architectural, historical, military and political museums and a wide array of art galleries.

If you are tired of hustle and bustle of the city, there is always a chance to have good time out of town. Beautiful Russian countryside and fresh air, elegant country houses, and idyllic country estates always welcome wandering travelers and couples of sweethearts.

Irina Abolentseva